Alright, I confess. I watch TV shows about other people’s lives. It began as entertainment, but now I watch to see what people are really like. Lately, our DVR has been working hard to record new episodes of MTV’s True Life documentary series, and as I watched some of them last week, I recognized a trend. Each episode featured two or three young adults who have something in common, and the common thread was insecurity. True Life: I’m Losing my Hair. True Life: I’m Uncomfortable with my New Body. Last night, I couldn’t sleep, and a True Life marathon was on so I watched True Life: I’m Addicted to Porn.
My dad would say that there’s nothing but trash on MTV, and he’s probably very disappointed in me for watching it, but as I watch with my jaw dropped, I realize how sheltered and naive I really am. It’s easy for someone like me to forget that there’s an entire world of lost and hurting people outside my circle of Christian friends, and I admire the people who are honest and open enough about their struggles to allow cameras to showcase them for all of America. It heightens my awareness of the real problems people face and the lengths people will go to to find happiness and fulfillment apart from God.
